I love Richard Donner's "Superman: The Movie" from 1978. In many regards it's IMHO the perfect comic-to-movie adaption, full of unforgettable moments. But it's only half the story, as Donner prepared for Jor-El's nemesis Zod, imprisoned in the Phantom Zone, to get free and challenge Kal-El aka "Superman". That story was then released as "Superman II" by Richard Lester, who took over mid-production because Richard Donner left after tensions with the producers. Lester completed the half-finished "Superman II" and added more campy humou.

In 2006, after years of fan petitions, a Richard Donner cut of "Superman II" was released that was meant to come near to Donner's original vision for the movie.

So with this edit I want to tell a single story of "Superman I" and "Superman II" using the best from Lester's and Donner's cut.

This edit differs in the event after Lois Lane falls underground in the cracks during the earthquake. I took footage and scenes from the other movies to make Superman ultimately not care about saving the world.

Sent to Earth from a dying planet to later grow up and become its savior, Superman is given an epic treatment by director Richard Donner. The Up, Up and Away Edition tightens up the pacing of the film while still retaining the overall story that was told when Christopher Reeve proved a man could fly back in 1978. Since most edits of this film combine Superman I and II as Richard Donner was intending on telling one large story, this edition focuses primarily on Superman I. Witness Kal El's journey from boy to man and from man to Superman without the appearance of the three Kryptonian outlaws, constant bickering between Lex Luthor and his henchman Otis, why Clark shouldn't use the word "swell," a complimentary pimp, a voice over of Lois' inner thoughts, and without the need to turn back time. Richard Donner presented us with a classic tale for the ages. This edition tinkers with the film ever so slightly so you can get up, up and away sooner with the man of steel.

This is a modern edit on a classic tale that will appeal to today's audiences who expect a quicker pace and more action. The story has been streamlined which permitted to add some story elements from Superman II. The end result is more action in a similar running time.

This edit combines Superman The Movie and Superman II into a single narrative that strips out the distractions of Lex Luther’s land-grab and instead focuses on the relationship between Kal-El and his father Jor-El, and the challenges that Superman faces in accepting his duty and destiny. With an entirely new ending that does not rely on time travel or memory-wiping kisses, we finally have a Superman with an ending of consequence, where the events we invested our time watching, have meaning.